Jim Nugent, longtime American Junior Golf Association Board
member, has been named the new President of the AJGA Board of Directors. Nugent
has been a member of the Executive Committee since 1993, and he replaces Gayle
Champagne, who served as President of the Board since 2004. Champagne will
remain on the AJGA Board of Directors, which she joined in 1994.

“I’d like to thank Gayle
for the outstanding leadership during her nine years as president,” Nugent
said. “I am honored to be able to continue to serve the AJGA in this new
capacity.”

In conjunction with AJGA
Chairman of the Board J.R.”Digger” Smith, Nugent will provide direction and
guidance to AJGA Executive Director Stephen Hamblin and the Board of Directors.
Nugent will be involved in maintaining and cultivating sponsors as well as
ensuring the Association’s standards are consistently met and exceeded.

One important focus will
be fully funding the AJGA’s financial assistance program, the Achieving
Competitive Excellence (ACE) Grant. Nugent and the Board of Directors will direct
a capital campaign to strengthen the ACE Grant’s fiscal future and ensure the
program’s long-term success.

“The ACE Grant has made an enormous impact on
the lives of many kids,” said Nugent, who in 2010 founded Global Golf Post, the world’s first digital-only golf news
publication. “We want to be able to impact more kids and not have to turn
anyone down who has qualified for an ACE Grant.”

In addition to his work
with the ACE Grant, Nugent and the board will examine ways for AJGA members to
“pay forward” the opportunity the AJGA has given them. With a continued focus
on volunteerism, Nugent looks to see today’s members help strengthen the organization
for the next generation.

“Jim has been a longtime
friend and supporter of golf at every level,” Hamblin said. “His knowledge and
expertise will be invaluable as we look to improve our service to junior golf
in the years ahead. We are excited to have him in this new leadership role.”

The American Junior Golf Foundation is the primary recipient of all charitable giving to the AJGA and as such administers a variety of programs designed to compliment the AJGA and the members and families who make up our community. Learn more about these important programs and how your contributions to the Foundation secure the AJGA’s financial future for future generations to come.

The Achieving Competitive Excellence (ACE) Grant program provides financial assistance to junior golfers who wish to play in AJGA events. Its goal is to give top-flight golf opportunities to young golfers regardless of financial resources. This program helps to fulfill the AJGA’s mission of developing young men and women who aspire to earn college golf scholarships through competitive junior golf.

Leadership Links

What is Leadership Links?

Leadership Links is a new program whereby the AJGA is able to further its mission to help develop young men and women by teaching charitable giving skills and service-oriented practices at an early age. This program gives juniors all the tools necessary to donate their time, talent and resources to local charities and the AJGA youth development programs. Please click here to learn more about the program and the different opportunities available.

The American Junior Golf Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the overall growth and
development of young men and women who aspire to earn college golf scholarships through competitive junior golf.